The 21-year-old Abate, who is regarded as one of Italy’s best young talents, came up through the Milan youth system, however he has never played a league game for the senior side, having spent the last five seasons on loan at Napoli, Sampdoria, Piacenza, Modena and Empoli.

Milan recently purchased full rights of Abate from previous co-owners Empoli, and the Rossoneri have now offered the lightning quick right winger a new four-year contract.

“It's a great feeling to know that the Rossoneri management counts on me for the future and that in the next few years I might return to the base as a protagonist,” Abate told Mediagol, before admitting that he will be spending next season away on loan once again.

“I only hope to repay the trust. Now I want to go and play another year in a club that will guarantee me some continuity which for a youngster is very important.”

Abate will be on show for Italy's Under-21 side at next month's Olympics in Beijing.

I was looking forward to seeing Abate in Milan, but he'll probably be loaned out for one year.

Nevertheless, from the games in which I've seen him I have a feeling he could develop/transform into a pretty good fullback. The guy's lightning, he's probably one of the fastest players in Serie A, if you're trying to beat him for pace then good luck. I think his skills could translate well into an attacking full-back role.

Well according to rumors, we might still make 1 final signing this summer and that would probably cover our defense. The money we receive from the co-ownership deal would be used to fund a the purchase of a defender.

AC MILAN --THE BEST THERE IS
THE BEST THERE WAS
AND THE BEST THERE EVER WILL BE
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AC Milan Coach Leonardo Considering Ignazio Abate For Left Back Position
Leonardo revealed that the club may not buy a new left-back but try youth product Ignazio Abate in that position instead.
17 Aug 2009 20:33:23
Ignazio Abate feels the heat during Milan's loss to Juventus during the Trofeo TIM
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Ignazio Abate feels the heat during Milan's loss to Juventus during the Trofeo TIM
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* Milan

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* Ignazio Abate

Despite the recent arrival of striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Milan fans are hoping that the club's transfer campaign is not quite over yet. The likes of Marek Jankulovski and Gianluca Zambrotta aren't getting any younger, so according to many a full-back would be a welcome addition to the club.

Lazio's Lorenzo De Silvestri, Tottenham Hotspurs' Gareth Bale, and Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe have already been linked with the club, but now it seems they are considering a different solution altogether.
Coach Leonardo apparently intends to use youth product Ignazio Abate, who usually plays as a winger, in a full-back role.
"His ideal position is of a winger in a 4-4-2 system," the coach said, as quoted by Goal.com Italia, "but we have thought about putting him at the back. Unfortunately we have not been able to put this into practice because we were missing some midfielders during the preparation period. He has to learn the defensive mechanisms, but he runs a lot and can adapt."

Abate himself has confirmed that, in order to play more, he is willing to change his position.

"I've talked about it with the coach various times," the 22-year-old said. "It could be a possibility. In the last few matches, due to the absences of [Gennaro] Gattuso, [Massimo] Ambrosini, and [Andrea] Pirlo, the coach opted to play me in midfield, but as soon as there is an opportunity we will try it.

"I already played as a wing-back with Modena in Serie B, at Empoli I was a left winger and a playmaker, and at Torino a wide player in a 3-5-2 system..."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACmen

Only Milan can punish it's own fans by qualifying for CL. I'm off to sleep, another year wasted. When will this fucker be fired..

AC Milan Coach Leonardo Considering Ignazio Abate For Left Back Position
Leonardo revealed that the club may not buy a new left-back but try youth product Ignazio Abate in that position instead.
17 Aug 2009 20:33:23
Ignazio Abate feels the heat during Milan's loss to Juventus during the Trofeo TIM
Photo Gallery
Zoom
Ignazio Abate feels the heat during Milan's loss to Juventus during the Trofeo TIM
Related Links
Teams

* Milan

Players

* Ignazio Abate

Despite the recent arrival of striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Milan fans are hoping that the club's transfer campaign is not quite over yet. The likes of Marek Jankulovski and Gianluca Zambrotta aren't getting any younger, so according to many a full-back would be a welcome addition to the club.

Lazio's Lorenzo De Silvestri, Tottenham Hotspurs' Gareth Bale, and Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe have already been linked with the club, but now it seems they are considering a different solution altogether.
Coach Leonardo apparently intends to use youth product Ignazio Abate, who usually plays as a winger, in a full-back role."His ideal position is of a winger in a 4-4-2 system," the coach said, as quoted by Goal.com Italia, "but we have thought about putting him at the back. Unfortunately we have not been able to put this into practice because we were missing some midfielders during the preparation period. He has to learn the defensive mechanisms, but he runs a lot and can adapt."

Abate himself has confirmed that, in order to play more, he is willing to change his position.

"I've talked about it with the coach various times," the 22-year-old said. "It could be a possibility. In the last few matches, due to the absences of [Gennaro] Gattuso, [Massimo] Ambrosini, and [Andrea] Pirlo, the coach opted to play me in midfield, but as soon as there is an opportunity we will try it.

"I already played as a wing-back with Modena in Serie B, at Empoli I was a left winger and a playmaker, and at Torino a wide player in a 3-5-2 system..."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com

this is funny. cus those were missing, abate could play

omg! i cant imagine that those 3 will play and flamini & abate will sit

and i dont know why not RB position for abate? we can put this zambro loser on LB in favour to abate